French Open: Big shocks for Osaka, champion Krejcikova

Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, was knocked out 5-7, 4-6 by Amanda Anisimova—the same player who ended the Japanese star’s title defence at the Australian Open this year

Former World No.1 Naomi Osaka and defending champion Barbora Krejcikova lost in the first round of the French Open on Monday, while women’s title favourite Iga Swiatek stretched her winning streak to 29 matches. The unseeded Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, was knocked out 5-7, 4-6 by Amanda Anisimova—the same player who ended the Japanese star’s title defence at the Australian Open this year.

‘Tried really hard’

An error-plagued Osaka served up eight double faults and committed 29 unforced errors on her return to Roland Garros, after withdrawing in 2021 when she refused to honour mandatory media commitments before revealing she had been suffering from depression. “I thought I tried really hard, and I just feel like it was a bit unfortunate because I wasn’t able to play as many matches leading into this tournament,” said Osaka.

Barbora Krejcikova during her first-tound match against Diane Parry of France

Anisimova, the 27th seed, reached the semi-finals in Paris three years ago. “It’s tough to see Naomi Osaka in the first round so I knew it wouldn’t be easy,” said the American. “I knew I had to play my best tennis and the conditions were not easy.” As rain stopped on the outside courts for two hours, Krejcikova followed Osaka in making an early exit, going down 6-1, 2-6, 3-6 to 19-year-old Frenchwoman Diane Parry in her first match since February following injury.

I hit the wall: Barbora

She looked to be in control up a set and a break, but dropped six games in a row to Parry before again blowing an early lead in the deciding set. “I think set and 2-0, that was where I hit the wall,” said Krejcikova, who had yet to play on clay this season. “I just think I just collapsed physically, and, I mean, it was tough because I didn’t play the matches.”

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